WHEN Marie Worthington planned to hold a coffee morning to help raise funds for Cancer Research UK, she never thought it would turn into such a big event.

But, with the help of the community, she has managed to gather £1,000 worth of prizes.

And she now plans to raffle them off at an event at the Anchor pub, in Newhall, in a bid to raise as much money as possible for the cancer charity – as well as support them by taking part in Derby's Race for Life on July 14.

Marie said: "It's such a good cause."

The 37-year-old, of High Street, Newhall, said the idea for the event, which is being held on Friday, came after signing up to this year's Race for Life at Darley Park. She said: "Race for Life is something I've always wanted to do but it's never been the right time– I've always been on holiday."

But when she received an e-mail encouraging people to sign up, she did it straight away. She will be taking part with a group of friends.

"We have rallied around to get people on board and are hoping to raise £1,000 altogether," she said.

To help boost her sponsorship, she then decided to hold a coffee morning.

"I was stuck in traffic and was thinking of all sorts of things then thought about holding a coffee morning in the pub," she said.